Core matrix



Jan. 15, 1957 w. ALLEN 2,778,005

CORE MATRIX Filed Jan. 20, 1955 IN VEN TOR.

7 fi LLOYD W. ALLEN FIG. Z QW/iM *GENT United States Patent CORE MATRIXLloyd W. Allen, Santa Clara County, Calif., assignor to InternationalBusiness Machines Corporation, New York, N. Y., a corporation of NewYork Application January 20, 1955, Serial No. 482,980

4 Claims. (Cl. 340-174) The present invention relates generally tomagnetic cores and more particularly to pluggable magnetic cores andmatrices therefor.

Magnetic cores are attractive as memory elements because they are small,fast, and they provide non-volatile storage. When magnetic cores areassembled in a matrix for storage purposes, the access time to thevarious portions thereof is constant and access at random to desiredportions is inherent. Thus, it will be understood that the magnetic corematrix is potentially an important storage device.

The basic objection to the use of magnetic cores at present is the highcost of manufacturing a suitable matrix. The cores themselves areinexpensive, and it is the cost of the matrix that is excessive. Thiscost is attributed in part to the fact that cores may be damaged duringassembly of the matrix and, due to the lack of a suitable technique, itis not possible to replace damaged cores to thereby render the matrixuseful. Furthermore, after assembly a matrix having any defective orinoperative core elements must be completely discarded.

It is one object of the present invention to provide an improvedmagnetic core matrix.

Another object is to provide an improved magnetic core for use with amagnetic core matrix.

A further object of the invention is to provide a magnetic core matrixwherein defective cores may be readily replaced.

Various techniques have been utilized to manufacture matrices ofmagnetic cores, among them being weaving wherein the various wires arestrung between the several cores either by hand or by suitable machines.This method has proved expensive both from the standpoint that expensivehand labor and/or machinery is utilized and also, as explained above,cores are often rendered defective during the manufacturing processes,thereby rendering the matrix unusable.

It is another object of this invention, therefore, to provide a matrixfor magnetic cores wherein the matrix may be manufactured inexpensivelyand in mass production by using common techniques and the magnetic coremay be readily assembled in such a matrix.

A still further object is to provide a pluggable magnetic core for usewith a matrix adapted to releasably receive it.

Other objects of the invention will be pointed out in the followingdescription and claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawingswhich disclose, by way of example, the principle of the invention andthe best mode which has been contemplated of applying that principle.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is an enlarged plan view of a partially assembled matrix of thisinvention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a single receptacle of thenovel matrix.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a magnetic core adapted foruse with the matrix shown in Fig. 1.

The matrix of the invention comprises a plurality of core receptacles(Fig. 1) interconnected by various wires 11 according to the rule ofoperation of the matrix, the disclosed matrix being suitable, forexample, for operation as a coincidence type matrix wherein it isnecessary for a coincidence of pulses on two of the wires 11a and 11b(Fig. 2) to occur to control the core associated therewith to change toits opposite state of magnetization. The third Wire 11c in this matrixis utilized for readout in a Well known manner. The receptacles 10 arearranged to receive therewithin magnetic cores 12 (Fig. 3) suitablemeans being provided to connect the wires 13 associated with the cores12 to the corresponding wires 11 (Fig. 2) of the matrix. In the presentembodiment clips 14 are imbedded in the body of the receptacles 10, thewires 11 being electrically connected to the clips 14, and each of theclips 14 is arranged to releasably receive therewithin a wire 13. Itwill be understood, however, that any suitable means for interconnectingthe wires 11 and 13 may be utilized. For example, it will be obviousthat the various wires 11 may be in the form of circuitry printed on asuitable backing and that the wires 13 might be pressed into engagementtherewith.

The cores 12 (Fig. 3) are composed of a magnetic material, such as therecently developed magnetic ceramic material, and are arranged toreceive therein a laminated wafer assembly 15 which includes the wires13. The three wires 13a, 13b and associated with each Wafer 15 areinsulated from each other and are supported in an adjusted angularposition relative thereto by two sheets 16 and 17 of a suitableinsulator, the wire 13a being disposed between and afiixed to each ofthe sheets 16 and 17 and the Wires 13b and 13a being afiixed to oppositesides of these sheets. The sheets 16 and 17 of each wafer 15 areprovided with notches 18 adapted to receive the core 12 when the core ismounted thereon. To mount the wafer 15 Within the core, the wafer isbowed slightly to permit its insertion, and it is then rel-eased andpermitted to assume the position shown in the drawing, thereby rigidlysupporting the wires 13 relative to the core 12.

To assemble the matrix, it is necessary only that the cores be insertedin the receptacles 10, as indicated in Figs. 1 and 2. After assembly andtesting it will be seen that defective cores may be easily replacedsimply by removal of the defective core and insertion of an operativecore, thereby rendering an otherwise defective matrix useful. It will bereadily understood that the matrix shown in Fig. 1 may be composed ofany suitable plastic and that it is, therefore, easily adapted to beingStamper out in large quantities at a relatively low cost.

While there have been shown and described and pointed out thefundamental novel features of the invention as applied to the preferredembodiment, it will be understood that various omissions andsubstitutions and changes in the form and details of the deviceillustrated and in its operation may be made by those skilled in theart, without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is theintention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope ofthe following claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A magnetic core assembly comprising a laminated wafer, a plurality ofconductors, said conductors being separated by the laminations of saidwafer, and a closed magnetic core disposed about said wafer and saidc011- ductors in such a way that an electrical current flowing in any ofsaid conductors generates a magnetic flux in said core.

2. A magnetic core assembly comprising a-laminated wafer, a plurality ofconductors separately interspersed by the laminations of said wafer,each said conductor lying in a plane parallel to the plane of said waferand having terminals extending from the said wafer, a closed magneticcore disposed about said wafer and said conductors in such a way thatsaid conductors extend through said core so that an electrical currentflowing in any of said conductors generates a magnetic flux in saidcore, and a receptacle for said wafer and said core having a pluralityof connectors corresponding to the said terminals, each said terminalbeing adapted to be de'ta chably fastened in a said connector.

3. A magnetic core assembly comprising a laminated wafer havingconductors separately interspersed thereby in planes parallel theretoand at angles respectively to each other, each said conductor havingterminals extending from the said water, said wafer having notchesprovided therein, a closed magnetic core disposed about said wafer andinserted Within said notches in such a way that magnetic flux isgenerated in said core by electrical current flowing in any saidconductor, and a receptacle for said wafer and said core having meansfor releasably receiving the terminals of said conductors whereby saidcore is releasably secured by said receptacle.

4. A magnetic core matrix comprising a plurality of magnetic cores, eachsaid core having a laminated Wafer mounted therein, said wafers havingnotched edges for receiving said core and comprising several conductorsinterspersed between the laminations of said wafer and insulated fromeach other thereby, each said conductor having terminals extending fromsaid wafer, and a plurality of receptacles interconnected in apredetermined manner for receiving said cores, said receptacles havingconnectors arranged to releasably receive the terminals associated withsaid conductors in such a Way that each said core is operativelyassociated with said matrix.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,700,150 Wales Jan. 18, 1955 2,712,126 Rosenberg et al. June 28, 19552,719,965 Person Oct. 4, 1955

